Back near the Merrimac Monitor Bridge, a treat was in store. The new owner and friends were busily at work on Newport News Middle Ground. A couple of his crew were headed inland for more supplies. Check out that newly installed French door!

Circling around, we can see more of the work group.

When we asked if the owner was there, someone stuck their head out the window of the upper level.

Divided into two groups/two commercial buses, bus #2 arrived first at Fort Story to climb and tour both Cape Henry's. New Cape Henry is seldom open for the public to climb, but the CG allowed us access.

Here we are on Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort, and waiting in line to climb, three at a time to the top.

Admiring the Cobb's gardens while waiting in line

LTC Cobb and wife Lisa, the currant occupants of the keeper's dwelling were very gratious hosts and joined us. Lisa brought out her Harbour Lights version of the lighthouse and had it autographed by both Bill and Nancy Younger. The family is very appreciative to have the opportunity to live in this historic home, and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit with them.

This was a fun weekend with a great group and expertly planned by Dave Hannum. Friday, I took a group down to tour OBX where we climbed Currituck and Hatteras, had lunch on the porch of the keeper's dwelling at Bodie, toured the inside of Ocracoke and finished the day at dusk watching the magnificant lens at Bodie in action. Saturday evening was the HL Regional dinner with delicious food and fellowship and a terrific & heartfelt speech delivered by Tony Constantino, of Harbour Lights.

Thanks for wading through all my photos of the weekend.

Judy

Last edited by vacastle on Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Jen, I actually did not use my camera on Friday. I had been up all night Thursday suffering from either a bout of food poisoning or a bad reaction to something I ate, and thought I was going to have to cancel Friday. I was lucky to make it at all, and also to have a nurse along on the Friday tour who made sure I drank gingerale and Gatorade all day. One of the guys even took over the driving my car. The tour guide for the day was an aching limp rag doll. Maybe Eric (Weasel) will post some of his when he gets home.

Because the staff at Currituck allowed us early entry, we didn't have the crowds to contend with for photos. Then we really lucked out at Ocracoke. Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum directors had brought a group of teenagers who had been participating in a shipwreck seminar all week to Ocracoke and were met by an NPS ranger. The teens were allowed to climb- something that is very seldom allowed, and we were allowed to go into the base.

Ross, that is indeed Tom K. There were enough NELL folks to fill most of a commercial bus. Many of them did an extended tour into OBX last week.

Larry, you are so right. I really should have said something like, "How often can you stroll by a lightship on your way to your hotel?".

The highlight of the Sat. cruise for me was seeing the new owner, Robert Gonsoulin of Williamsburg and crew at work on his recently purchased lighthouse at Middleground, and of course seeing the Chesapeake Tower up close. Sure, I've seen and done most of what we did last weekend in VA & NC, but it was a most enjoyable weekend (minus the Thurs. night bout) spent with a great group of folks. It was fun Friday watching others experience the beauty of OBX for the first time. (Eric & I were the only ones in the group who had been there before.) And I can not say enough about how well the entire weekend event was planned.

Yuck about the food poisoning! I heard Sandy was sick, too, on the Wolf Trap charter that Fran had organized. Are you going to Maine in the fall with Dave's group? I had to back out - too many things pending at home with trying to get the fine points of financial management down with a new house and all the things one needs in a new home (like tractors to mow the lawn, putting a yard in, etc.). So glad you guys had a great time!!